One mention of the name Velvet McIntyre evokes memories of her history-making defeat at the hands of The Fabulous Moolah at WrestleMania 2. Lasting just over one minute, she ranks right up there alongside SD Jones as one of the most unimpressive performers in the history of the Showcase of the Immortals. For that reason, it is surprising that the Irish-born competitor was rewarded with a WWE Women's Championship run on July 3, 1986. Of course, the victory occurred in Australia during an international tour and lasted only six days, ensuring that fans would be none the wiser when Moolah returned from the states with the title in tow. So why even bother switching the title in the first place? Doing it to inject excitement into the tour seems a bit out of character for the company at that point. The 1980s were still very much a time in which the championships were treated with respect. That there was never any real intention to use McIntyre as anything more than a tackling dummy for the greatest champion ever to that point only makes it a more curious decision on the booker's part. McIntyre would also reign as a Women's Tag Champion but it was her reign as singles champion that lasted just shy of a week that remains one of the most puzzling in Divas history.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
